High-Performance Tesla Model S Now Available for $152,000

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Steve Saleen, who’s famous for
modifying American muscle cars, is taking orders for the
$152,000 Foursixteen -- his souped-up version of Tesla Motors
Inc.’s Model S.

Saleen Automotive Inc. officially began accepting orders
yesterday, he said in an interview at Pebble Beach ahead of the
Concours d’Elegance in California south of San Francisco. He
said that as he placed his car on the Concours’s concept lawn on
Aug. 16, people began approaching, wanting to buy one.

It will appeal “very much to the person that wants to have
luxury but also have a performance sedan that goes with their
lifestyle, something they can have fun with and be able to enjoy
the handling and performance while at the same time feel they
are contributing to the green effort,” said Saleen, who is
chairman and chief executive officer of the company.

The Tesla-based model marks the first electric vehicle for
Corona, California-based Saleen, which designs, develops,
manufactures and sells high-performance cars built from base
chassis of Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge
Challengers along with exotic supercars.

The car begins at $152,000 including the Model S and the
price goes up to just under $200,000, Saleen said.

That’s about double what Tesla, led by CEO and co-founder
Elon Musk, charges its customers. The Palo Alto, California-based carmaker, which isn’t involved in Saleen’s efforts, sells
its car in the U.S. at a starting price of $71,000. With
options, the price can rise above $100,000.

The front end was changed to make it more aerodynamic, with
a V-shaped hood that directs hot air away from the drivetrain
cooling system, Saleen said in a statement.

Saleen also upgraded the drivetrain for quicker
acceleration and changed the suspension to improve cornering
agility. Inside, a center console has been integrated into the
design, including a cup holder.

It will take six to eight weeks for a car to be ready after
being ordered, Saleen said.